How can PHP functions like LOAD DATA Files and exec() be effectively used to streamline the process of importing external data into a database?

To streamline the process of importing external data into a database using PHP functions like LOAD DATA INFILE and exec(), you can create a script that reads the external data file, processes it, and then executes the necessary SQL query to insert the data into the database. This approach can automate the data import process and make it more efficient.

<?php

// Read the external data file
$data = file("external_data.csv");

// Connect to the database
$servername = "localhost";
$username = "username";
$password = "password";
$dbname = "database_name";
$conn = new mysqli($servername, $username, $password, $dbname);

// Process and insert the data into the database using LOAD DATA INFILE
$query = "LOAD DATA INFILE 'external_data.csv' INTO TABLE table_name FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',' LINES TERMINATED BY '\n' IGNORE 1 LINES";
$conn->query($query);

// Close the database connection
$conn->close();

?>